The document itself reveals their problems which are thoroughly analysed by Tanya Gold in the Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/14/women-david-cameron-coalition. But frankly, the document speaks for itself in demonstrating the misogyny of this government. My favourite amongst many is ‘Make far more effort to recognise and celebrate women in business ‘ … that’s sure to be a poll changer in the midst of the economic meltdown. And what do they mean when they say “…there are a range of policies we have pursued as a Government which are seen as having hit women, or their interests, disproportionately…” The majority of their list of policies cannot be described as ‘seen as‘ because they do in fact hit women disproportionately.

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The problem

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We know from a range of polls that women are significantly more negative

about the Government than men. We don’t at present have a finer-grained

analysis than this, though there is some suggestion that fear for the next

generation is a major factor for many women. In addition, the group of

Cabinet Office and No 10 women we assembled felt strongly that the

general tone and messages of government communications, particularly

around deficit reduction were an issue – with women, especially in the

public sector feeling targeted; a general sense that families who had been

struggling to get by even in the ‘good times’ resented being told to tighten

their belts; and even a view that the Governmer1t’s choice of leaders on the

economy gave the implication was that ‘now there’s a realjob to be done

sorting out the mess, it can only be done by men.” (Clearly all of these needs

a heavy caveat that it is anecdotal; and that of course Women’s views differ

as much as men’s, so generalisation can be unhelpful – but nevertheless, we

found the insights useful.)

In addition, we are clear that there are a range of policies we have pursued

as a Government which are seen as having hit women, or their interests,

disproportionately, including:

1 Public sector pay and pensions (particularly as contrasted with –

mostly male – bankers, in the popular narrative)

0 Tuition fees

Abolition of Child Trust Funds

Changes to child tax credit and the childcare element

0 Changes to child benefit

0 Rising cost of living

0 Lone patent obligations

Income support

Several of these potentially play into fears for the next generation; and it is

also worth noting that many of these issues have been visible and prominent.

By contrast, we were able to list many areas where what we have done has

been very positive – but many of these had received far less profile and

attention. These include:

0 Extension of flexible working

Parental leave

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0 2-year old nursery places

0 Health visitors

A wide range of impressive international activity – where international

partners often praise the UK’s record – but which we do not discuss

domestically very much (and even intemationally, we do not always

leverage it as we could)

0 Free schools and academies (and the notion of choice in education seen

as positive by many even if not all)

5. There are also areas where we have made bold statements or promises but